BRITISH POLITICS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3430, 9 December 1919, Page 18

BRITISH POLITICS.

(By Cable.)

THANET BY-ELECTION. LONDON, November 28. The by-election for the Thanet seat re--1 suited : Hon. E. Harmsworth (Coalition . Unionist) 9711 West 7058 —Reuter. Mr West, the defeated candidate, stood in the Liberal interest. The elections were held as the result of the resignation of Commander Oaig (Coalition Unionist) was elected unopposed at the election in December, 1913. Lady Astor, interviewed after her election victory in the contest for the Plymouth seat, said that the new spirit <-f citizenship was struggling to the surface. That spirit was necessary for reconstruction. If the war profiteers and Bolshevists had their way they would make the country, not a home for heroes, but a den for thieves. November 29. Even Opposition welcome Lady Astor's election on the ground that women should be represented in the House of Commons. Mr Lloyd George and Mr Balfour will introduce ' her on_ Monday. She will take a seat reserved directly behind the front bench. The Speaker has decided that she may -wear her hat. This is a point which has greatly exercised the members of the House of Commons. .Lady Astor says that she will not appear in evening dress," but in the simplest gown, in order not to set an unfair precedent for other women who may possibly be obliged to rely on the £4OO stipend. An oak-panelled boudoir and writing room overlooking the terrace has been provided for her use, and is labelled " Lady members only." Lady Astor may also use the other clubrooms provided for members, except the smoking room. December 1: The House of Commons was crowded to welcome Lady Astor, there being many notabilities in the galleries. Lady Astor wore a simple black frock. She was thoroughly self-possessed. She walked up the House between Mr Balfour and Mr , Lloyd Geroge amid loud cheers, j signed the roll, and took her seat on the Opposition side under the gangway among the "Young Unionists." December 3. The Ashton Conservative Union has invited Lady Beaverbrook to contest the constituency vacated by Sir Albert Stanley. She is the mother of three children, and says she is unwilling to abandon the,

nursery for the House of Commons, but her consent is

MR ASQUITH'S CRITICISM. LONDON, November 28. Mr Asquith, speaking at Birmingham, criticised the Coalition Government for allowing Sinn Fein to become a dominant factor in Irish national life. He said that the Anti-dumping Bill was unpopular, and ! that even Tariff Reformers regarded it aa pernicious. Mr Asquith described the British as the arch-dumpers of the world and added that if we penalised the dumpers we should suffer most. He condemned the premium bonds, which would be a failure. Mr Christopher Lowther, a member of the House of Commons, has resigned, as he disagrees With the Government continually pandering to Labour, and also because of the appalling waste. PREMIUM BONDS. LONDON, December 1." The Commons by 276 votes to 84 rejected Mr Horatio Bottomley's motion in favour of the issue of premium bonds. Mr A. Chamberlain (Chancellor of the Exchequer) admitted that on further consideration he had changed his mind, and was now, without raising the moral question of right or wrong, opposed to premium bonds on the broad ground of financial expediency. There was no attraction in premium bonds apart from the gambling chance. Their issue would probably capture some money not now saved, but It -would be an inconsiderable amount compared with the money which would be withdrawn from the savings banks, and from war loans. "Mr Bbnar Law endorsed Mr Chamberlain's views. ECONOMIC CONDITIONS AT HOME. LONDON, December 3. Mr G. H. . Roberts (Food Controller) states that the Ministry is considering the cessation of the control of meat owing to the abundance of supplies, but he fears that the position will be serious a year hence. .ANTI-DUMPING BILL. LONDON, December 3. The Liberal Coalitionists almost unanimously opposed the Anti-Dumping Bill on the ground, that it is a transgression of the tariff agreement. They have resolved to interview Mr Lloyd George. A large meeting of unionists declared their opposition to the Bill on the ground that it perpetuates an obnoxious system.